Method, apparatus and computer program for cell identification

ABSTRACT

A method of cell detection, for a user equipment, UE, of a first cell, wherein the first cell operates on a first frequency, from a second cell, wherein UE is served by the second cell, and the second cell operates on a second frequency different form the first frequency, is disclosed. The method comprises performing cell detection on the first frequency while the UE is associated with the second cell on the second frequency; detecting at least one cell identification, ID, candidate on the first frequency; determining whether verification of cell ID is to be done prior or after a predetermined event has occurred; and if it is determined that verification is to be done after the predetermined event, postponing the verification and performing the verification after the predetermined event has occurred. Methods of cell identification and handover are also disclosed. A communication apparatus and a computer program are also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a method, apparatus andcomputer program for cell identification performed by a wireless devicein a wireless communications networks.

BACKGROUND

In cellular communication networks, the mechanism of handover is a keyfeature for enabling the cellular properties of seamless mobility. Inconventional cellular networks, with each base station operating a cellwith a certain coverage, handover is performed when signal interchangewith one base station is becoming weak and signal interchange isexpected to be better with another base station. The interest indeploying low-power nodes (such as pico base stations, home eNodeBs,relays, remote radio heads, etc.) for enhancing the macro networkperformance in terms of the network coverage, capacity and serviceexperience of individual users has been constantly increasing over thelast few years. At the same time, there has been realized a need forenhanced interference management techniques to address the arisinginterference issues caused, for example, by a significant transmit powervariation among different cells and cell association techniquesdeveloped earlier for more uniform networks. Thus, as so calledheterogeneous cellular networks appear, i.e. where there are cells andbase stations on different levels, the handover task becomes morecomplicated. Here, the terms macro cell and pico cell are used in thisdisclosure, although different prefixes, e.g. micro, femto, etc., may beused in the field, to denote the higher level and the lower level typeof cells, respectively.

Conventionally, a UE associated with a cell operating on one frequency,but which may have better communication when associated with a pico celloperating on another frequency need to find a macro cell covering thepico cell attractive for handover, make handover to the macro cell, andthen possibly finding the beneficial communication of the pico cell. Itis therefore a desire to find an approach for improving mobility atleast for such cases.

SUMMARY

The invention is based on the understanding that detection of cell IDand cell verification can be treated separately, with the saving of cellID candidates between the detection and verification, to improvehandover in certain situations.

The inventors have found that at least some of the issues elucidatedabove can be remedied by applying one or more of the following mainconcepts:

-   -   The concept of two-step cell identification with network        interaction in between step 1 and step 2, including the UE        capability to support Cell Identification Step 2,    -   Methods and enhanced signaling means to support two-step cell        identification,    -   Methods in the UE and network node for deciding a cell        identification approach,    -   Enhanced support for inter-frequency measurements and mobility        with eICIC,

Other approaches and features related to the above are also described,and the above demonstrated list is only for facilitating theunderstanding of this disclosure, and in not to be considered aslimiting.

Aspects of the invention are defined by the independent claims.Embodiments thereof are defined by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of celldetection, for a user equipment, UE. The method comprises performingcell search; detecting at least one cell identity, ID, candidate;determining whether verification of cell ID is to be done prior or aftera predetermined event has occurred; and if it is determined thatverification is to be done after the predetermined event, postponing theverification and performing the verification after the predeterminedevent has occurred.

The detection may be of a first cell, wherein the first cell operates ona first frequency, wherein the UE is served by a second cell, andwherein the second cell operates on a second frequency different fromthe first frequency. The performing of cell search may be on the firstfrequency while the UE is served by the second cell on the secondfrequency and the detecting of at least one cell identity, ID, candidatemay be made on the first frequency.

The predetermined event may be any of handover, carrier change, primarycarrier change, and reception of a measurement pattern from a networknode.

The method may further comprise reporting an event comprising sending alist of cells, wherein the list comprises the at least one cell IDcandidate.

The UE may be in a cell extension zone of the cell serving the UE.

The performing of the verification may include an intra-frequencymeasurement.

The predetermined event may comprise reception of a measurement pattern,the performing of the verification may include an intra-frequencymeasurement, and the measurements may be on the first frequency and maybe performed in selected subframes in the received measurement pattern.

The first cell may be a first pico cell having a coverage area in commonwith at least a part of a coverage area of a first macro cell, whereinthe first pico cell and the first macro cell operate on the firstfrequency. The second cell may be a second pico cell having a coveragearea in common with at least a part of a coverage area of a second macrocell, wherein the second pico cell and the second macro cell operate onthe second frequency.

The detection of the at least one cell ID may be based on knownsecondary synchronisation signal, SSS, sequences and on known primarysynchronisation signal, PSS, sequences. The detection of the at leastone cell ID may comprise determining cell identity group based on knownsecondary synchronisation signal, SSS, sequences; and determiningidentity within the group based on known primary synchronisation signal,PSS, sequences.

The verification may comprise measuring cell-specific reference signals,CRS.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of handover,for a user equipment, UE, to a first cell, wherein the UE is served by asecond cell. The method comprises performing cell detection according tothe first aspect; and performing handover from the second cell to thefirst cell.

The first cell may operate on a first frequency, and the second cell mayoperate on a second frequency different from the first frequency.

The performing of the handover may comprise reporting a handover eventto a base station operating the second cell after verification of thecell ID; receiving a handover instruction from the base station; andmaking handover according to the handover instruction.

The handover instruction may include instructions to make handover to athird cell operating on the first frequency.

The performing of the handover may comprise initiating handover upon ahandover event prior to verification of the cell ID; and performing theverification after initiating the handover. The initiating of handovermay comprise transmitting a handover report including an unverified cellID.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of cellidentification, by a user equipment, UE. The method comprises performinga first cell identification step consisting of cell detection;performing at least one action associated with network interaction; andif the first cell detection step and the at least one action associatedwith network interaction so requires, performing a second cellidentification step including verification of a cell detected by thefirst cell identification step.

The method may further comprise performing the second cellidentification step after the at least one action. The method may,further comprise signalling the UE's capability to support two-step cellidentification, the two-step cell identification comprising the firstcell identification step and the second cell identification step, to anetwork.

The at least one action may comprise reporting a result obtained in thefirst cell identification step or an event associated with the result ofthe first cell identification step.

The network interaction may be any of: handover, cell change, carrierchange or component carrier reconfiguration.

The method may further comprise performing a step of deciding whether toproceed to the second cell identification step, wherein the step ofdeciding preceding the network interaction step.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a communicationapparatus suitable for operating in a cellular communication network,wherein the apparatus is arranged to perform the method according to anyof the first to third aspects.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer programcomprising instructions which, when executed on a processor of acommunication apparatus, causes the communication apparatus to performthe method according to any of the first to third aspects.

In this context, the term User Equipment, UE, which term is widely usedas a generic term for example in standard specifications and scientificdisclosures, refers to equipment suitable to work in a wireless cellularnetwork such that it enables communication through wireless cellularcommunication networks. The UE may for example be a mobile phone, asmartphone, a wireless modem (e.g. a computer card to be inserted into acomputer or device comprising processing means, or a connectable modemconnected to the computer or device comprising processing means viawired or wireless connection), or other equipment capable ofcommunicative operation within a cellular communication network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferredembodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appendeddrawings.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an environment in which embodiments areapplicable.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a UE according toan embodiment.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a computer-readable medium and aprocessing device.

FIG. 9 illustrates various interference scenarios in heterogeneousdeployments.

FIG. 10 illustrates cell range expansion in heterogeneous networks.

FIG. 11 illustrates location of synchronisation signals in an LTE frame.

FIG. 12 illustrates synchronisation signal contents and resource elementmapping.

FIG. 13 illustrates cell-specific reference signal resource elementmapping according to 3GPP TS 36.211 specification.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a basic flow of two-step cellidentification with network interaction according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a UE according toan embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a two-step handover scenario in a heterogeneousnetwork.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In 3GPP, heterogeneous network deployments have been defined asdeployments where low-power nodes of different transmit powers areplaced throughout a macro-cell layout, implying also non-uniform trafficdistribution. Such deployments are, for example, effective for capacityextension in certain areas, so-called traffic hotspots, i.e. smallgeographical areas with a higher user density and/or higher trafficintensity where installation of pico nodes can be considered to enhanceperformance. Heterogeneous deployments may also be viewed as a way ofdensifying networks to adopt for the traffic needs and the environment.However, heterogeneous deployments bring also challenges for which thenetwork has to be prepared to ensure efficient network operation andsuperior user experience. Some challenges are related to the increasedinterference in the attempt to increase small cells associated withlow-power nodes, aka cell range expansion; the other challenges arerelated to potentially high interference in uplink due to a mix of largeand small cells.

According to 3GPP, heterogeneous deployments consist of deploymentswhere low power nodes are placed throughout a macro-cell layout. Theinterference characteristics in a heterogeneous deployment can besignificantly different than in a homogeneous deployment, in downlink oruplink or both. Examples hereof are given in FIG. 9, which illustratesvarious interference scenarios in heterogeneous deployments, where incase 902, a macro user with no access to the Closed Subscriber Group(CSG) cell will be interfered by the HeNB, in case 904 a macro usercauses severe interference towards the HeNB and in case 906, a CSG useris interfered by another CSG HeNB.

However, a heterogeneous network does not necessarily imply using CSGcell. For example, another interference scenario is illustrated in FIG.10, where a deployment with two nearby cells transmitting at differentpower levels is shown. The coverage of the lower-power cell is extendedby using a technique known as cell range expansion. With this technique,cell selection/re-selection diverges from the RSRP-based approach, e.g.towards pathloss- or pathgain-based approach, and hereby extending thecoverage of the lower-power cell. The lower-power cell may beassociated, for example, with a pico cell. As shown in FIG. 10, cellrange expansion (also referred to as cell range extension) may becontrolled by a delta-parameter. The larger the delta parameter, thelarger the lower-power cell coverage is, and the weaker the serving(expanded) cell is relative to the interferer cell. One can observe thatUEs in the cell range expansion zone experience lower signal quality forthe serving cell due to the strong signal from the interfering neighbourcell.

To facilitate measurements in the expanded cell range, i.e., where highinterference is expected, the standard specifies Almost Blank Subframe(ABS) patterns for eNodeBs and restricted measurement patterns for UEs.A pattern is a bit string indicating restricted and unrestrictedsubframes characterized by a length and periodicity, which are differentfor FDD and TDD (40 subframes for FDD and 20, 60 or 70 subframes forTDD).

To facilitate measurements in the expanded cell range, i.e., where highinterference is expected, the standard specifies Almost Blank Subframe(ABS) patterns for eNodeBs and restricted measurement patterns for UEs.A pattern is a bit string indicating restricted and unrestrictedsubframes characterized by a length and periodicity, which are differentfor FDD and TDD (40 subframes for FDD and 20, 60 or 70 subframes forTDD).

Restricted measurement subframes are configured to allow the UE toperform measurements in subframes with improved interference conditions,which may be implemented by configuring ABS patterns at eNodeBs, andavoid measuring in high-interference conditions. Restricted measurementpatterns are in general UE-specific. Three patterns are currentlyspecified in the standard to enable restricted measurements:

-   -   Serving-cell pattern for RLM and RRM measurements;    -   Neighbor-cell pattern for RRM measurements;    -   Serving-cell pattern for CSI measurements.

ABS pattern is a transmission pattern at the radio node; it iscell-specific and may be different from the restricted measurementpatterns signaled to the UE. In a general case, ABS are low-power and/orlow-transmission activity subframes. ABS patterns may be exchangedbetween eNodeBs via X2, but these patterns are not signalled to the UE,unlike the restricted measurement patterns.

Cell search is one of the basic UE operations in a cellular network. Tofind a cell, the UE receives radio signals and searches for signals witha specific, known to the UE, signature. To identify a new cell, the UEhas to identify the cell and then, optionally or upon a request, obtainthe globally unique CGI Cell Global Identity (CGI). In LTE, cellidentification includes detection of the cell and additionallyperforming a signal strength or signal quality measurement (akaverification), where the measurement may be RSRP or RSRQ.

-   -   Cell detection is performed based on synchronization signals and        more specifically on Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) and        Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS). There are 504 unique        physical-layer cell identities (PCIs). The physical-layer cell        identities are grouped into 168 unique physical-layer        cell-identity groups, each group containing three unique        identities. The grouping is such that each physical-layer cell        identity is part of one and only one physical-layer        cell-identity group. A physical-layer cell identity is thus        uniquely defined by a number in the range of 0 to 167,        representing the physical-layer cell-identity group, and a        number in the range of 0 to 2, representing the physical-layer        identity within the physical-layer cell-identity group. The SSS        is in fact scrambled by a scrambling code based on the PSS.        Hence, in some embodiments the PCI may be determined by the SSS        only. In some embodiments, the cell identity group is determined        based on the known SSS sequences, and the identity within the        group is determined based on the known PSS sequences. All unique        combinations of PSS and SSS give 504 unique PCIs, which may be        reused in the same PLMN network on one frequency and/or across        frequencies. PCI of a cell can then be used to determine        sequences of other signals (e.g. cell-specific reference        signals, CRS, positioning reference signals, PRS, etc.) and its        allocation in the time-frequency grid. The synchronization        signals occupy 62 resource elements in the centre of the        allocated bandwidth as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In a        synchronous network, PSS/SSS from one cell overlap/interferer        with PSS/SSS from another cell, which correspond to reuse-1 or        100% load all the time on these signals.    -   RSRP and RSRQ measurements are performed on cell-specific        reference signals (CRS). The CRS signals are allocated in        time-frequency grid as shown in FIG. 13, where this is shown for        the cases of use of one, two and four antenna ports,        respectively. The depicted resource element grids represent an        even-numbered slot (1=0, . . . , 6) and an odd-numbered slot        (1=0, . . . , 6), respectively. Resource elements marked black        are reference symbols used for respective antenna port. Upon use        of more than one antenna port, the resource element of an        antenna port corresponding to a position in the grid which is        assigned a reference symbol for any of the other antenna ports        is not used. Different cells can use 6 different shifts in        frequency. In practice there is a reuse-6 pattern for CRS        transmitted from one TX antenna port and reuse-3 pattern for CRS        transmitted from two TX antenna ports, etc. In low load the        interference could then be favourable for time measurements on        CRS. In high load however the situation becomes similar to        PSS/SSS. Practical networks, however, seldom operate with load        higher than 70% in downlink, so the interference situation is        typically better for CRS than for PSS/SSS. Interference        conditions may be further improved on CRS by configuring ABS        (reduced-power or low activity subframes) in the interfering        aggressor cells.    -   CGI may be obtained via reading system information transmitted        over a broadcast channel. The UE may be requested by eNodeB to        report CGI of a cell identified by the UE; the request may be        triggered by a measurement report for the identified cell        received by eNodeB from the UE.

Generally, cell identification may be performed

-   -   on the frequency of PCell (intra-frequency),    -   on a frequency of an SCell, which is also a serving cell with        carrier aggregation (inter-frequency, with carrier aggregation),    -   on a different frequency than serving cell frequencies        (inter-frequency),    -   on a different RAT (inter-RAT).

Inter-frequency and inter-RAT may also be inter-band when thefrequencies belong to different frequency bands.

The current cell identification requirements specify a certain period Tduring which the UE has to perform cell identification and report acorresponding event to the network. The required period T includes boththe time necessary for detecting a cell and the time T1 for performing ameasurement. The current standard specifies both T and T1 time periods.Further, the UE is typically required to report N (e.g., N=8) identifiedcells within the required period. The requirements for cellidentification typically differ (e.g., in the measurement period length,number of cells, number of frequencies, etc.) for intra-frequency,inter-frequency and inter-RAT.

The non-CA UE would normally require measurement gaps for performinginter-frequency or inter-RAT cell identification. The same applies forCA UE when performing cell identification on non-configured ordeactivated carrier.

Embodiments of the invention described herein apply for non-carrieraggregation (CA) and CA networks. The CA concept is briefly explainedbelow.

A multi-carrier system (or interchangeably called as the CA) allows theUE to simultaneously receive and/or transmit data over more than onecarrier frequency. Each carrier frequency is often referred to as acomponent carrier (CC) or simply a serving cell in the serving sector,more specifically a primary serving cell or secondary serving cell. Themulti-carrier concept is used in both HSPA and LTE. Carrier aggregationis supported for both contiguous and non-contiguous component carriers,and component carriers originating from the same eNodeB need not toprovide the same coverage.

Serving Cell: For a UE in RRC_CONNECTED not configured with CA there isonly one serving cell comprising of the primary cell (PCell). For a UEin RRC_CONNECTED configured with CA the term ‘serving cells’ is used todenote the set of one or more cells comprising of the primary cell andall secondary cells.

Primary Cell (Pcell): the cell, operating on the primary frequency, inwhich the UE either performs the initial connection establishmentprocedure or initiates the connection re-establishment procedure, or thecell indicated as the primary cell in the handover procedure.

Secondary Cell (Scell): a cell, operating on a secondary frequency,which may be configured once an RRC connection is established and whichmay be used to provide additional radio resources.

In the downlink, the carrier corresponding to the PCell is the DownlinkPrimary Component Carrier (DL PCC) while in the uplink it is the UplinkPrimary Component Carrier (UL PCC). Depending on UE capabilities,Secondary Cells (SCells) can be configured to form together with thePCell a set of serving cells. In the downlink, the carrier correspondingto an SCell is a Downlink Secondary Component Carrier (DL SCC) while inthe uplink it is an Uplink Secondary Component Carrier (UL SCC).

Activation and deactivation of secondary cells: In CA the base station(e.g. eNode B) in LTE can deactivate one or more secondary cells on thecorresponding secondary carriers. The deactivation is done by the eNBusing lower layer signalling (e.g. over PDCCH in LTE) using a shortcommand such as ON/OFF (e.g. using 1 bit for each Scell). Theactivation/deactivation command is sent to the UE via the Pcell.Typically the deactivation is done when there is no data to transmit onthe Scell(s). The activation/deactivation can be done independently onuplink and downlink Scell. The purpose of the deactivation is thus toenable UE battery saving. The deactivated Scell(s) can be activated alsoby the same lower layer signalling.

A UE may not require measurement gaps for performing measurements on aconfigured carrier component.

At least the following issues may occur with the earlier solutions:

-   -   The network does not expect the UE to report a result of the        incomplete cell identification, so        -   there are no methods in the network to distinguish between a            reported result of the detection-only step and complete cell            identification,        -   there are no methods in network nodes (e.g., eNodeB) to            handle such reports in a different way,        -   the network cannot use, make any decisions or perform any            specific action responsive to such reports;    -   In previous solutions, the UE performs cell detection        immediately followed by a measurement, and as a consequence        -   a conventional UE does not report a cell without performing            the measurement and does not report any event based only on            the cell detection step of the cell identification,        -   a conventional UE has no possibility to perform the            verification measurement to complete cell identification            after reporting the result of the detection step or after            performing any interaction with the network,        -   when the verification step is performed after reporting the            detection result, it is also not straightforward what is the            UE behaviour or network behaviour if the verification step            resulted in that the detection result was not correct,        -   there are no to decide on whether the verification step may            be postponed or not, e.g., given an additional cell            identification approach described by the current invention,            there is also a need to decide on when to perform            conventional cell identification and when follow the new            cell identification approach.    -   In previous solutions, the measurement is performed from the        same carrier frequency or carrier component as cell detection,        e.g., the UE served by a PCell (or serving cell in non-CA) on f2        and trying to identify a cell on f1 would normally complete the        cell identification, i.e., including detection and the        measurement, while being on the PCell. In case a handover or        PCell switching occurs during cell identification, the        conventional UE would either complete the cell identification        prior handover/switching, break the cell identification        procedure or restart cell identification (intra- or        inter-frequency) after handover/switching.        -   E.g., there are no methods in the UE to perform the            detection step as inter-frequency followed by            intra-frequency verification step.    -   Two-step handover or two-step cell switching has not been of any        specific use for conventional UE, so the embodiments described        herein specifically for the two-step handover/cell switching are        new to the conventional UE, and in particular for the two-step        handover/cell switching in heterogeneous networks.    -   Cell identification requirements under a cell change in general        are currently not defined, where the cell change may be any of:        handover, PCell change, carrier change or PCC change, cell        activation/deactivation, or configuring/reconfiguring SCells or        SCCs. The conventional UE would complete before the cell change,        break the cell identification activity or restart cell        identification after the cell change. The conventional approach        would typically not continue cell identification of the same        cell after changing a cell. Changing cells will typically be        more dynamic and more common in networks with small cells and        carrier aggregation based networks, so restarting a time        consuming cell search each time is not efficient.    -   In previous solutions, there are no procedures in the UE to        perform cell detection prior receiving cell identification        assistance data or measurement pattern and then perform the        verification step using the assistance data or measurement        patterns for the verification measurement.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an environment in which embodiments areapplicable. A first macro cell 100 operated by a base station M1 on afirst frequency F1 also covers an area where a first pico cell 102operated by a base station P1 operating on the first frequency F1. Asecond macro cell 104 operated by a base station M2 on a secondfrequency F2 also covers an area where a second pico cell 106 operatedby a base station P operating on the second frequency F2. The first andsecond frequencies F1, F2 are different. Embodiments are applicable to aUE MUE2 associated with the second macro cell which desires to performhandover to any of the cells 100, 102 operating on the first frequencyF1. Embodiments are applicable to a UE PUE2 associated with the secondpico cell 106 which desire to perform handover to any of the cells 100,102 operating on the first frequency F1. A particular problem arises forexample for PUE2 when trying to make measurements on the first pico cell102 when restricted subframes are used for such measurements, but thetiming of those restricted subframes are not known and/or aligned forthe cells of the first frequency F1.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.A UE associated with a cell operating in the second frequency F2, i.e.any of MUE2 or PUE2 depicted in FIG. 1, is requested 200 to dointer-frequency measurements on cells operating on the first frequencyF1. The UE then performs 202 cell detection on the first frequency F1,i.e. while still being associated with a cell operating in the secondfrequency F2. One or more candidates are expected to be found, and theUE detects 204 at least one cell identification (ID) candidate amongcell or cells operating on the first frequency F1. Consider that thiscell is the second pico cell 106 depicted in FIG. 1. It should be notedhere that detection may be possible, but measurements for makingverification may not be feasible due to the issue demonstrated above. Ifverification is feasible and there are no issues about that, the processcan proceed conventionally, e.g. with handover. However, for othercases, the cell ID candidate can be stored in a list, which may onlycomprise one item or more items, in the UE. Upon an event occurring 206,e.g. handover, carrier change, primary carrier change or reception of ameasurement pattern such that the issue is solved, the UE can use thestored information with the cell ID candidate and perform 208verification of it, e.g. by measurement of received power of referencesymbols (RSRP).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.A UE associated with a cell operating in the second frequency F2, i.e.any of MUE2 or PUE2 depicted in FIG. 1, is requested 300 to dointer-frequency measurements on cells operating on the first frequencyF1. The UE then performs 302 cell detection on the first frequency F1,i.e. while still being associated with a cell operating in the secondfrequency F2. One or more candidates are expected to be found, and theUE detects 304 at least one cell identification (ID) candidate amongcell or cells operating on the first frequency F1. In this embodiment,it is determined 306 whether verification is to be made prior or afteran event has occurred (see examples above). If the verification is to bemade prior the event has occurred, e.g. if verification is easilyfeasible, verification is performed 308, and the event can be performed310 when triggered. On the other hand, if the verification is to be madeafter the event has occurred, e.g. due to the issues demonstrated above,the verification is postponed and when the event is triggered 312, theprocedure proceeds to performing 314 the verification.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.Similar to the above demonstrated embodiments, a UE associated with acell operating in the second frequency F2 is requested 400 to dointer-frequency measurements on cells operating on the first frequencyF1. Here, the UE receives 401 an inter-frequency cell list with picocell information, and performs 402 cell search on the first frequencyF1. If a detected cell is a pico cell, which can be determined 404 sincethe inter-frequency cell list with pico cell information is available,it is stored 406, and the procedure returns to the cell searching 402.The hash-double-dot arrow from the storing 406 denotes where the storedinformation is preferred to be used. If the detected cell is not a picocell, the procedure proceeds with verifying 408 the cell, e.g. asdemonstrated above. It is determined 410 whether handover is trigged. Ifhandover is not trigged, the cell searching 402 proceeds. If handover istrigged, handover is performed 412 to a first frequency cell andmeasurements and restriction information for pico cells are received.Signal measurements are performed 414 for detected pico cells, whereinthe stored information of the pico cell list is used. If feasible,handover is performed 416 to a pico cell. Here, an inter-frequency eICIC(enhanced Inter-Cell Interference Coordination) cell list, which can beseen as a pro-active provisioning of intra-frequency cell list while theUE is on another frequency, can be provided in 401, wherein the UEreceives the list and performs unverified cell search 402 on detectedpico cells, stores 406 the results, goes through the handover 412 tomacro cell and then uses the list for intra-frequency measurements 414from the macro cell.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.A UE associated with a cell operating in the second frequency F2, i.e.any of MUE2 or PUE2 depicted in FIG. 1, is requested 500 to dointer-frequency measurements on cells operating on the first frequencyF1. The UE then performs 502 cell detection on the first frequency F1,i.e. while still being associated with a cell operating in the secondfrequency F2. One or more candidates are expected to be found, and theUE detects at least one cell identification (ID) candidate among cell orcells operating on the first frequency F1. All detected cell IDs arestored 506 in a list. Here, the hash-double-dot line in FIG. 5 indicateswhere the list is used. Further, at least one cell is verified 508,similar to what has been demonstrated above. It is determined 510whether handover is trigged. If handover is not trigged, regularmeasurements are made 511 on detected and verified cells, e.g. byperforming RSRP/RSRQ measurements, and the cell searching 502 proceeds.If handover is trigged, handover is performed 512 to a first frequencycell and measurements and restriction information for pico cells arereceived. Thus, intra-frequency eICIC cell list with the pico cell canbe provided right after or during handover. Signal measurements areperformed 514 for detected pico cells, wherein the stored information ofthe pico cell list is used. If feasible, handover is performed 516 to apico cell.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment.A UE associated with a cell operating in the second frequency F2, i.e.any of MUE2 or PUE2 depicted in FIG. 1, is requested 600 to dointer-frequency measurements on cells operating on the first frequencyF1. The UE then performs 602 cell detection on the first frequency F1,i.e. while still being associated with a cell operating in the secondfrequency F2. It is checked 603 whether any cell ID is detected. If not,the procedure continues cell searching 602. If at least one cell ID isdetected, at least an attempt to verify 608 the cell is made, e.g. bydoing signal measurements using CRS. It is checked 609 whetherverification is possible. If verification is not possible, detected cellID is stored 606 in a pico cell list, and the procedure returns to cellsearching 602. If verification is possible, it is determined 610 whetherhandover is trigged. If handover is trigged, a handover event is trigged612 wherein unverified cell ID is submitted in handover event report. Ameasurement configuration comprising information about unverified cellIDs is received 614 for detected pico cells, wherein the storedinformation of the pico cell list is used, as illustrated by thedash-double-dot-arrow. If feasible, handover is performed 616 to a picocell. Thus, an event for trigging the first step of handover where theUE, when inter-frequency handover trigged also report detected butunverified detected cells, e.g. via RSRP. The network then determinespico cell detected and information about e.g. almost blank subframes(ABS) etc are provided to the UE at handover or after handover view RRCsignaling.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a UE 700 accordingto an embodiment. The UE comprises an antenna arrangement 702, areceiver 704 connected to the antenna arrangement 702, a transmitter 706connected to the antenna arrangement 702, a processing element 708 whichmay comprise one or more circuits, one or more input interfaces 710 andone or more output interfaces 712. The interfaces 710, 712 can be userinterfaces and/or signal interfaces, e.g. electrical or optical. The UE700 is arranged to operate in a cellular communication network. Inparticular, by the processing element 708 being arranged to perform theembodiments demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the UE 700 iscapable of efficiently operating in a cellular communication networkcomprising macro and pico and even femto cells, i.e. a network that ispopularly called a HetNet or a heterogeneous network which oftenindicates the use of multiple types of access nodes in a wirelessnetwork such as macro cells, pico cells, and/or femto cells in order tooffer wireless coverage in an environment with a wide variety ofwireless coverage zones, ranging from an open outdoor environment tooffice buildings, homes, and underground areas. The processing element708 can also fulfill a multitude of tasks, ranging from signalprocessing to enable reception and transmission since it is connected tothe receiver 704 and transmitter 706, executing applications,controlling the interfaces 710, 712, etc.

The methods according to the present invention is suitable forimplementation with aid of processing means, such as computers and/orprocessors, especially for the case where the processing element 708demonstrated above comprises a processor handling handover. Therefore,there is provided computer programs, comprising instructions arranged tocause the processing means, processor, or computer to perform the stepsof any of the methods according to any of the embodiments described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 6 or any of the examples and embodimentsdisclosed herein. The computer programs preferably comprises programcode which is stored on a computer readable medium 800, as illustratedin FIG. 8, which can be loaded and executed by a processing means,processor, or computer 802 to cause it to perform the methods,respectively, according to embodiments of the present invention,preferably as any of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1to 6 or any of the examples and embodiments disclosed herein. Thecomputer 802 and computer program product 800 can be arranged to executethe program code sequentially where actions of the any of the methodsare performed stepwise. The processing means, processor, or computer 802is preferably what normally is referred to as an embedded system. Thus,the depicted computer readable medium 800 and computer 802 in FIG. 8should be construed to be for illustrative purposes only to provideunderstanding of the principle, and not to be construed as any directillustration of the elements.

Although the description is given for UE, it should be understood by theskilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term comprising anywireless device or node equipped with a radio interface allowing atleast for receiving and measuring signals in DL. Some examples of UE inits general sense are PDA, laptop, mobile, sensor, fixed relay, mobilerelay, a radio network node equipped with the UE-like interface (e.g.,an LMU, a femto base station or a small base station using the terminaltechnology). A UE herein may comprise a UE (in its general sense)capable of operating or at least performing measurements in one or morefrequencies, carrier frequencies, component carriers or frequency bands.It may be a “UE” operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standardmode (e.g., an example dual-mode UE may operate with any one orcombination of WiFi and LTE).

A cell is associated with a radio node, where a radio node or radionetwork node or eNodeB used interchangeably in the inventiondescription, comprises in a general sense any node transmitting radiosignals in DL and/or receiving radio signals in UL. Some examples ofradio network nodes are eNodeB, Node B, RNC, macro/micro/pico radio basestation, home eNodeB, relay, repeater, sensor, transmitting-only radionodes. A radio network node herein may comprise a radio node operatingor at least performing measurements in one or more frequencies, carrierfrequencies or frequency bands. It may be a radio node capable of CA. Itmay also be a single- or muti-RAT or multi-standard node, e.g., usingthe same or different base band modules for different RATs.

Multiple serving cells are possible with carrier aggregation, so “aserving cell” is in general used throughout the description for CA andnon-CA systems. With CA, primary cell (PCell) is one example of aserving cell, and another example is a secondary cell (SCell). For a UEin RRC_CONNECTED not configured with CA there is only one serving cellcomprising of the primary cell (PCell). For a UE in RRC_CONNECTEDconfigured with CA the term ‘serving cells’ is used to denote the set ofone or more cells comprising of the primary cell and all secondarycells.

The term “network node” is a general term which may comprise, e.g., aradio network node or a core network node. Some examples of networknodes are MME, MDT node, eNodeB, SON node, etc.

The term “centralized network management node” or “coordinating node”used herein is a network node, which may also be a radio network node,which coordinates radio resources with one or more radio network nodesand/or UEs. Some examples of the coordinating node are networkmonitoring and configuration node, MME, OSS node, O&M, MDT node, SONnode, positioning node, a gateway node such as Packet Data NetworkGateway (P-GW) or Serving Gateway (S-GW) network node or femto gatewaynode, a macro node coordinating smaller radio nodes associated with it,etc.

A subframe may be LTE subframe or any time interval or time slot, whichmay be pre-defined.

The signaling described in the invention is either via direct links orlogical links (e.g. via higher layer protocols and/or via one or morenetwork nodes). For example, signaling from a coordinating node may passanother network node, e.g., a radio node.

The embodiments of the invention are not limited to LTE, but may applywith any Radio Access Network (RAN), single- or multi-RAT. Some otherRAT examples are LTE-Advanced, UMTS, GSM, cdma2000, WiMAX, and WiFi.

Embodiments described herein may be considered as independentembodiments or may be considered in any combination with each other todescribe non-limiting examples of the current invention.

Though the description is provided for a verification step usingmeasurement on CRS, the invention may also apply for other physicalsignals used for verification.

According to the current invention, the two-step cell identification1400, 1420 with network interaction 1410 may be illustrated at ahigh-level by the schematic diagram in FIG. 14.

The cell identification steps (1 and 2) 1400, 1420 are performed by theUE. The two cell identification steps may be any combination of one ortwo of: intra-frequency, inter-frequency, or inter-RAT. For example:

-   -   inter-frequency (one of the steps) and intra-frequency (the        other step),    -   both steps are intra-frequency,    -   both steps are inter-frequency.

Further, any of the two cell identification steps 1400, 1420 may or maynot be the same as in the current standard. For example, CellIdentification Step 1 may be performed on signals different thanPSS/SSS, or Cell Identification Step 2 may be performed on signalsdifferent than CRS or may even involve a measurement different from RSRPor a measurement which is not a power-based measurement (e.g., may be atiming measurement in contrary to RSRP or RSRQ or similar).

The network interaction 1410 involves the UE and at least one networknode (e.g., a radio network node in general, eNodeB, positioning node,MDT node, SON node, coordinating node, etc.). The interaction 1410 maybe initiated by either of the two sides, but more typically would beinitiated by the UE. The network interaction 1410 may depend on theresult of or simply follow the preceding step of Cell IdentificationStep 1. For example, the network interaction step 1410 may comprise anyone or combination of:

-   -   Cell change and/or carrier change in general (e.g.,        intra-frequency/inter-frequency/inter-RAT handover, PCell change        on the same PCC, PCell change to a different frequency carrier        or to a new PCC, SCell or SCC        configuration/reconfiguration/activation/deactivation, etc.),    -   The first step of the two-step handover,    -   A report associated with the cell identification step 1 (e.g.,        an event report or cell detection result report),    -   Requesting and/or receiving assistance data or measurement        pattern which may be used for Cell Identification Step 2.

The basic embodiment of the current invention is that the UE startsidentification 1400 of at least one cell before the network interaction1410 occurs and continues identification 1420 of the at least one cellafter the network interaction step 1410. Some of the advantages arefaster and more resource-efficient cell identification, the possibilityto interact 1410 with the network between the two steps 1400, 1420 ofcell identification, the possibility of deciding on whether to performthe second cell identification step or not, etc. An example diagram of aUE apparatus 1500 performing cell identification is shown in FIG. 15, aswell as in the schematic illustration in FIG. 7.

The UE 1500 comprises an antenna 1502 connected to an analog transceivercircuit 1504. Transmissions to be sent uplink to the cellular system,e.g. list of cell candidates (A) or verified cells (B), is provided to adecoder 1506 which decodes the information, and the information may befiltered in a filter 1508 before being converted to an analog signal bya digital-to-analog converter 1510. The analog signal is then providedto the transceiver 1504 to be transmitted.

Received signals are provided from the transceiver 1504 to ananalog-to-digital converter 1512 for conversion into digital signals,which can be filtered by a digital filter 1514. The signal is thenprovided to a detector 1516 for extracting the received data, which isprovided to higher layers for further processing. The signal is alsoprovided to a cell searcher 1518 which searches for candidate cells asfor example elucidated with reference to steps 202, 302, 402, 502, 602and 1400. The cell candidates (A) can then be stored, provided to acontroller 1520 of the UE 1500, and/or provided to a measuring unit 1522which makes measurements to verify one or more found cells. Here, thecontroller controls operation of the cell searcher 1518 and themeasuring unit 1522, which can be based on network information fromhigher layer signalling, i.e. from the data decoded by the detector 1516which have been processed to extract for example control information.The verified cells (B) are provided to further processing such as fordeciding/performing/finishing related to a handover event.

The basic embodiment may imply any of the following:

Option 1: The UE postpones the Cell Identification Step 2 and continuesit after the network interaction;

Option 2; There is a decision step (as will be disclosed below in moredetail) preceding Cell Identification Step 1 and/or Cell IdentificationStep 2. In the second case, the decision step may precede the networkinteraction step, may be comprised in the network interaction step, ormay follow the network interaction step. The output of the decision stepis one of the following choices: perform conventional cellidentification (without postponing Step 2 and with no networkinteraction step), performing Step 1, or performing Step 1 and Step 2(see FIG. 14). The decision step may be performed

-   -   by the UE (autonomously or by a pre-defined rule),    -   by a network node, e.g., a radio network node or a core network        node (MDT, positioning node, SON, coordinating node, etc.),    -   jointly by or in coordination with UE and the network node;

Option 3 (or 2a): The UE performs Cell Identification Step 1 and reportsthe result. Reporting of the cell identification result may be comprisedin the network interaction step.

-   -   In this special embodiment the UE does not perform Step 2 or it        may be not able to perform Step 2, i.e., there is no decision        step which may dynamically decide execution of Step 2 but it is        pre-programmed in the UE in a static way that Step 2 is not        performed; in this special embodiment, performing Step 2 is a UE        capability (e.g., low-cost devices may be not capable of        performing Step 2). This embodiment may be viewed also as a        pre-configured decision based on the UE capability to perform        Step 2 in general or in combination with a certain condition        (e.g. as demonstrated above).

The UE may also store the results of at least one of the cellidentification steps, e.g., to store any of: radio signal samples,detected and/or verified PCI or a set of candidate PCIs, etc., in aninternal or external memory. The stored results may be used tofacilitate the on-going cell identification by the same UE, but may alsobe used for other purposes (see, e.g., below).

The UE may report the result of at least one of the cell identificationsteps to a network node or another UE (see, e.g., below).

In addition to the steps illustrated in FIG. 14 and also an optionalstep of decision making, there may also be a correction step, by whichan event or action taken based on Cell Identification Step 1, may stillbe reverted, undone, or corrected (e.g., reselect the correct cell), incase Cell Identification Step 2 indicated erroneous result after CellIdentification Step 1. The network node and the UE should avoid orminimize the probability of the correction step. To avoid/minimize theprobability, the UE or network node may use the collected statistics(see, e.g., below) or postpone the decision until the Step 2 is completeif it is decided to go for Step 2 too.

Here and in other embodiments of the invention, a result of two-stepcell identification shall be understood as a result related to cellidentification which is obtained during or after Cell IdentificationStep 1 or Cell Identification Step 2. Further, the cell identificationresult after Step 2 may comprise hereafter either the result of onlyCell Identification Step 2 or the result of both cell identificationsteps.

According to an embodiment 1, there is provided Methods and SignalingMeans for Reporting a Cell Identification Result with Two-Step CellIdentification with Network Interaction

The UE may report the result of at least one of the cell identificationsteps to another UE or a network node, where the receiving network nodemay be a radio node (e.g., a serving eNodeB or RNC) or a network node ingeneral (e.g., positioning node, MDT node, SON node, etc.). Togetherwith the result, the UE may also provide an indication on whether theresult is the result after Step 1 or the result after Step 2;alternatively, different message types or different Information elementsmay be used for the results after the two different steps.

It is emphasized that the above allows also for reporting after the celldetection step (i.e., Cell Identification Step 1). In this case, thereport may comprise, e.g., any one or combination of:

-   -   At least one of the detected PCIs,    -   A list of candidate PCIs after the detection step, where more        than one candidate PCIs may be possible for detecting one cell,    -   At least one of the detected PCIs from a certain list of PCIs,        where the list may further comprise any of:    -   a list provided by a network node prior the detection step        (e.g., a mobility neighbor cell list or a list of cells in the        assistance data received by the UE as assistance for cell        detection, cell identification, performing UE measurements or in        relation to measurement patterns),    -   a set of PCIs that meet a certain condition, where the condition        may be determined according to a pre-defined UE, provided by the        network or autonomously determined by the UE; the condition may        be, e.g.:        -   PCIs for which transmissions of a known signal in            time-frequency domain overlap with transmissions of a known            signal from a serving cell (specific example: PCIs for which            CRS are colliding with a serving cell CRS),        -   PCIs that are not in a black cell list or any exclusion            list.    -   The number of detected cells,    -   The number of candidate cells,    -   An indication of an event associated with the detection (e.g.,        “detected/not detected”),

Some examples of the reported information after verification (CellIdentification Step 2), where the result after verification may compriseeither the result of the verification step only or the result of bothcell identification steps, are:

-   -   At least one of the identified PCIs,    -   The number of identified PCIs,    -   The number or rate of identified PCIs that passed verification,        success or failure rate or similar.

A cell identification result may be reported by the source node to thetarget node in different ways, e.g.:

-   -   Upon receiving an explicit request from the target node (e.g.,        eNodeB requesting the UE to perform cell identification and/or        send a result of cell identification in general or specifically        after the first cell identification step and/or the second cell        identification step),    -   Upon receiving an explicit request from another node (e.g.,        eNodeB requesting the UE to perform cell identification and/or        send the result to positioning node, or one eNodeB requesting UE        to send the result to another eNodeB),    -   Without receiving an explicit request from a node (e.g., without        eNodeB requesting the UE to perform cell identification and/or        send the result). In this case, the result may be sent, e.g.,    -   Periodically,    -   Triggered by a certain event, e.g., at a pre-defined occasion        such as at initial setup, after a cell change, after a carrier        change, when interference level drops below a certain level,        when accessing a node, when setting up a service, when        configuring a certain measurement, when receiving a measurement        pattern, upon entering a certain activity state (e.g., non-DRX,        CONNECTED, etc.), etc.,    -   In response to a triggering condition. An example of the        triggering condition may be based on a comparison of a signal        strength level or signal quality level to a certain threshold,        e.g., the serving cell quality dropped below a threshold or when        the number of currently performed measurements exceeds a        threshold. Other triggering condition examples may be related to        determining harsh interference conditions, proximity of a        transmitting node, when in cell range expansion zone, etc.

The reported result may be used by the receiving node as a conventionalcell identification result or in any of the ways described above.

As has been briefly described above, there may be defined UE capabilityassociated with the UE ability to perform Step 2. In specificnon-limiting examples, the capability may be any one of:

-   -   UE capability to support Cell Identification Step 1 only (i.e.,        not supporting Step 2),    -   UE capability to support two-step cell identification as        illustrated in FIG. 6, i.e., with a network interaction step        between the two cell identification steps,    -   UE capability to support two-step cell identification with        two-step handover in heterogeneous deployments.

This UE capability may be associated with specific time-frequencyresources, e.g., with subframes indicated by a measurement pattern suchas a time-domain and/or frequency-domain measurement resourcerestriction pattern.

This capability may be signaled to a network upon a request, without arequest on a certain condition or event, or provided proactively. ThisUE capability may also be exchanged between network nodes, e.g., betweentwo eNodeB via X2 interface in a handover-related message when the UE ishanded over from one eNodeB to the other eNodeB.

According to an embodiment there is provided Using Cell IdentificationResult

A cell identification result, as defined above, may be stored by the UEand/or reported to another UE or network node (see, e.g., above).

In non-limiting examples, the cell identification result, stored orreported, may be used, by the source (UE) and/or target (UE or networknode), for any one or combination of:

-   -   Deciding or assisting in a decision on whether to perform the        conventional cell identification or follow cell identification        described herein,    -   Deciding or assisting in a decision on whether to continue with        the Cell Identification Step 2,    -   Configuring of Cell Identification Step 2 (e.g., configuring the        type of verification measurement and/or how the measurement is        to be performed, configuring a measurement pattern, etc.),    -   Cell identification reporting configuration (e.g., configuration        of an event or a triggering condition),    -   Neighbor cell or assistance data build-up for cell        identification or measurements (the measurements may or may not        be related to the cell identification steps),    -   for mobility purpose (e.g., when making or assisting in a        handover decision; for two-step handover to facilitate eICIC,        etc.),    -   for tracking or positioning purpose (e.g., for proximity        detection),    -   for collecting cell identification or UE performance statistics        (e.g., for MDT, to replace or complement expensive drive tests,        etc.),    -   for SON.

Any of the above may be used for/by the same UE which performs cellidentification, but may also be used for other UEs (e.g., by a networknode, by a coordinating node, by another UE, etc.).

Another embodiment of this part of the intention that the cellidentification results described in this section (i.e. the result afterCell Identification Step 1 or the result after Cell Identification Step2 further comprising either the result of only Step 2 or bother Step 1and Step 2) may be managed differently from the conventional cellidentification results, e.g., stored and/or post-processed differently.Further, the receiver of the result (UE or a network node) may be ableto differentiate (see, e.g., above) between the conventional cellidentification results and the cell identification results describedherein.

Further advantage can be achieved through Collecting and UsingHistorical Data Related to Two-Step Cell Identification

The UE may also collect and store statistics of the results of each ofthe two steps and/or the comparison result of the two steps. Thestatistics may comprise any one or combination of single metricsdescribed above or an aggregation metric, e.g., failure rate, successrate, or a comparison result comprising a measure reflecting similarityof the two steps or reliability of the first step, etc. The collectedresults may also be stamped with time, date, serving cell identity,location area identification, etc.

This statistics may be used by the source UE or by the target (anotherUE or a network node), and some of the usage examples are as listedherein. For example, if the statistics indicates that CellIdentification Step 1 is typically sufficiently reliable in theseconditions, there may be a decision to not perform Step 2.

The signaling means to the target for delivering the results forcollecting the statistics or for delivering the statistics may besimilar to those described above. The signaled information may be asdescribed above or may also be a result of the comparison.

According to one embodiment there is provided Deciding on the CellIdentification Step 2.

In this embodiment, the decision step briefly described above isdescribed in further details by means of non-limiting examples.

More specifically, the decision step may comprise choosing one of thebelow:

-   -   Decision 1: conventional cell identification approach including        verification (i.e., no network interaction step between the two        cell identification steps),    -   Decision 2: Performing only Cell Identification Step 1,    -   Decision 3: Performing both Cell Identification Step 1 and Cell        Identification Step 2 after network interaction.

Previously, there has been only one choice (Decision 1), so there was noneed in a method for deciding among these options.

Decision made by the UE may include that the UE makes a decisioncomprising selecting one of the three decision options listed above.Some example decision criteria may be any one or a combination of:

-   -   Cell type (e.g., for cell identification of a small cell for        inter-frequency mobility purpose the new two-step cell        identification with two-step handover may be desirable—see        below),    -   Type of cell identification (e.g., intra-frequency,        inter-frequency, inter-RAT; for example, Step 2 may be more        needed for inter-frequency or inter-RAT),    -   Purpose (e.g., performing Step 2 may have a lower priority when        being performed for MDT and may be of a higher priority for        mobility),    -   UE activity state such as CONNECTED/IDLE, DRX/non-DRX, etc.        (e.g., Step 2 may be less preferred in lower-activity states),    -   UE capability to perform Step 2 (see, e.g., above, e.g. Option        3/2a,),    -   Environment type (e.g., indoors, outdoors—it may be more        difficult to detect and fewer cells may be seen indoors),    -   Interference conditions and aggressor cells (e.g., high        interference conditions and aggressor cell interference may        motivate for Step 2), which may be obtained from other UE        measurements and involve comparison of measurement value to a        threshold (e.g., serving cell signal strength or signal quality        is above a certain threshold may indicate a potentially high        interference to neighbor cell signals),    -   Channel characteristics and UE speed (e.g., detection may be        more accurate on channels with less delay spread and lower UE        speed),    -   Availability of measurement pattern (e.g., time-domain        measurement resource restriction pattern for neighbor cell        measurements on a certain frequency(s) where cell identification        is to be performed),    -   UE power consumption and battery energy (at a lower battery        level, Step 2 may be less preferable),    -   Network synchronization (e.g., conventional cell identification        may be preferable in an asynchronous network or in a low-loaded        network or for UEs which are not in cell range expansion zone).

Based on decision criteria, the decision may be made by the UE in one ora combination of ways below:

-   -   Autonomously (e.g., without network assistance or interaction        with the network or other UE),    -   According to a pre-defined rule (e.g., verifying whether a        decision criteria meets a pre-defined condition(s) with respect        to a pre-defined threshold),    -   Based on the information or assistance received from the network        or another UE.

An example of a combination of way for making the decision is“autonomously+pre-defined rule” or “using assistance+pre-defined rule”.

The UE may directly or indirectly inform a network node (e.g., servingeNodeB) about the decision, e.g.,

-   -   If the decision is to use the cell identification described        herein, then a message type and/or a Information Element        different from those used for the conventional cell        identification is used for reporting the result;    -   Further, if the decision is to continue with Step 2, then the UE        may not report the result of Cell Identification Step 1, but may        report the result of Cell Identification Step 2;    -   Otherwise, if the decision is to not continue with Step 2, then        the UE may report the result of Cell Identification Step 1.

Decision made by a network node (e.g., eNodeB or a coordinating node)implies that the network node receives the result of Cell IdentificationStep 1, e.g., by signaling means described above.

Decision criteria examples are similar to those described for thedecision made by UE (see above), provided that the correspondinginformation is available in the network node.

Upon making a decision, the network node informs the UE about whetherthe UE have to perform Cell Identification Step 2 or not. The networknode (e.g., eNodeB or RNC) may inform the UE directly or indirectly,e.g., by

-   -   sending an explicit indicator indicating the network node's        decision,    -   sending a request for performing or an indication of the need to        perform cell identification according to the decision made,    -   providing the information or assistance data necessary for        performing the two-step cell identification or Cell        Identification Step 2, etc.

According to an embodiment there is provided Two-Step CellIdentification for Enhanced Support of Inter-Frequency Measurements andMobility in Heterogeneous networks.

In this embodiment, the two-step cell identification is further adaptedfor inter-frequency cell mobility in a heterogeneous network. Theembodiment is described by giving a non-limiting example. In thisspecific example, the inter-frequency mobility is further comprising atwo-step handover. Thus, the following steps are comprised in thisexample:

Step A1: Cell Identification Step 1 (of cell 3, both inter-frequency),may be performed together with cell identification of cell 2,

Step A2: [Optional] Store the result of Step A1,

Step A3: [Optional] Reporting result of Step A1 or an event associatedwith Step A1,

Step A4: HO1,

Step A5: [Optional] Decision step,

Step A6: [Optional] Cell Identification Step 2 (of cell 3,intra-frequency), may be performed in restricted measurement patterns,

Step A7: [Optional] HO2.

Previously, a two-step handover would require one complete cellidentification prior HO1 and then another complete cell identificationprior H2, which, given long time necessary for cell identification, maybe very time- and power-consuming Instead, Cell Identification Step 1for cell 3 is performed prior HO1, e.g., together with cellidentification of cell 2. Cell identification of cell 2 may beperformed, e.g., by any suitable approach or by only Cell IdentificationStep 1. Thus, in this part of the invention, cell identification of cell3 is split into two steps with a network interaction step (HO1) inbetween. The second step may also be optional and may depend on thedecision step. In this part of the invention, the procedures,information signaling, and methods related to two-step cellidentification may be similar to those described above.

The UE may or may not need measurement in Step A1, e.g., the UE may beable to perform inter-frequency measurements without gaps in CA.Further, even if the UE needs measurement gaps in Step A1, the same gapmay be used for cell 3 and cell 2 since they are on the same frequency.The same gap may be used both when the cells are synchronous orasynchronous, which is because a measurement gap may comprise up to 6subframes (5 subframes of effective measurement time oninter-frequency), whilst the maximum subframe shift between two closestPSS/SSS subframe of cell 2 and PSS/SSS subframes of cell 3 is 3subframes (PSS/SSS are transmitted in subframes 0 and 5 as described inthe background section), i.e., one measurement gap can cover PSS/SSSsubframes of both cells, even in an asynchronous network.

Another observation is that in a synchronous network, measurementpatterns are useful e.g. for measurements performed on CRS signals theperformance of which may be improved by low-interference subframes, andthis measurement pattern may be available after HO1 but not before HO1.Advantages with the two-step cell identification in this example:

-   -   There is no need in providing measurement resource restriction        pattern in Step A1 since the measurement pattern is not helpful        for synchronization signals which have reuse-1 pattern (i.e.,        100% load in a synchronous case).    -   Not configuring measurement resource restriction pattern for        inter-frequency cell identification allows to avoid aligning        measurement gaps (if they have to be configured for the UE) with        measurement restriction patterns which removes restrictions on        the network.    -   The existing requirements may be reused: In Step A1, legacy        inter-frequency cell identification requirements (e.g., TS        36.133, Section 8.1.2.3) will determine the cell identification        time period. In Step A6, the existing intra-frequency        measurement requirements (e.g., TS 36.133, Section 8.1.2.2 for        legacy requirements; Section 8.1.2.8, subclause 8.1.2.8.1.1 for        non-DRX and Table 8.1.2.8.1.2-2 for DRX with restricted        measurement requirements) may be reused.

The example is described in further detail below. When a UE needs toperform cell identification in high-interference conditions on anotherfrequency, the UE may need to be configured with a measurement patternfor that frequency, e.g., a time-domain measurement restriction patternfor neighbour cell measurements on that frequency. The UE maybe,however, in a cell which is not aware of the measurement pattern orlow-interference time-frequency resources (e.g., subframes and/orsubbands) for which such a measurement pattern could be configured. Suchsituation may occur, e.g., when a UE is associated to or needs toidentify a small cell or any base station which does not have X2interface with at least some of its neighbours. One possibility in suchcase is to perform a two-step handover: handover to one (intermediate)cell followed up with another handover from the intermediate cell to thetarget cell. An example is illustrated in FIG. 16, where cell 1 oncarrier frequency (or component carrier) f2 is the original to which theUE 1600 is associated, cell 2 on carrier frequency (or componentcarrier) f1 is a macro cell which is an intermediate cell, and cell 3 isthe target cell which is on the same frequency as macro cell 2. In FIG.16, the first HO step and the second HO step are indicated by HO1 andHO2, respectively. As one can see, HO1 is inter-frequency and HO2 isintra-frequency.

According to an embodiment there is provided Two-Step CellIdentification under Cell Change or Frequency Carrier/Component CarrierChange.

The two-step cell identification concept described above and embodimentsdescribed above may also apply when the network interaction comprises acell change and/or frequency carrier (or carrier component) change. Oneexample of a cell change is handover. Another example is carrierswitching or reconfiguration (e.g., PCell switching or SCellreconfiguration or deactivation with CA).

More specifically, in this part of embodiments of the invention, the UEis adapted to either report Cell Identification Step 1 result or tocontinue cell identification after a cell and/or frequency change. Thetotal cell identification period may comprise T1 or T2, which may becalculated as follows (square brackets indicates “optional”):

${T\; 1} = {{{Time}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu}{Cell}\mspace{14mu}{Identification}\mspace{14mu}{Step}\mspace{14mu}{1++}\mspace{14mu}{Reporting}\mspace{14mu}{delay}\mspace{14mu}{after}\mspace{14mu}{Cell}\mspace{14mu}{Identification}\mspace{14mu}{Step}\mspace{14mu}{{{1++}\left\lbrack {{Some}\mspace{14mu}{margin}} \right\rbrack}.T}\; 2} = {{Time}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu}{Cell}\mspace{14mu}{Identification}\mspace{14mu}{Step}\mspace{14mu}{{{1++}\left\lbrack {{Reporting}\mspace{14mu}{delay}\mspace{14mu}{after}\mspace{14mu}{Cell}\mspace{14mu}{Identification}\mspace{14mu}{Step}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack}++}{Time}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu}{network}\mspace{14mu}{interaction}\mspace{14mu}{\begin{pmatrix}\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{{e.g.},{{HO}\mspace{14mu}{interruption}},{{HO}\mspace{14mu}{delay}},} \\{{{or}\mspace{14mu}{carrier}\mspace{14mu}{switching}\mspace{14mu}{or}\mspace{14mu}{reconfiguration}\mspace{14mu}{time}};}\end{matrix} \\{{may}\mspace{14mu}{also}\mspace{14mu}{depend}\mspace{14mu}{on}\mspace{14mu}{the}\mspace{14mu}{number}\mspace{14mu}{of}}\end{matrix} \\{{{network}\mspace{14mu}{interaction}\mspace{14mu}{events}},{e.g.},}\end{matrix} \\{{number}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{cell}\mspace{14mu}{changes}\mspace{14mu}{and}\text{/}{or}\mspace{14mu}{carrier}\mspace{14mu}{switches}}\end{pmatrix}++}{Time}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu}{Cell}\mspace{14mu}{Identification}\mspace{14mu}{Step}\mspace{14mu}{{{2++}\left\lbrack {{Reporting}\mspace{14mu}{delay}\mspace{14mu}{after}\mspace{14mu}{Cell}\mspace{14mu}{Identification}\mspace{14mu}{Step}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack}++}{\quad{\left\lbrack {{Some}\mspace{14mu}{margin}} \right\rbrack.}}}}$

From the disclosure above, numerous of advantages of different featuresand approaches are readily understood. Among those, some areparticularly important, such as

-   -   Faster and more resource-efficient cell identification    -   Possibility to choose to not perform verification step and        report the result of cell detection,    -   Methods for using the information obtained from two-step cell        identification,

Further, abbreviations are explained as they occur. However, for thesake of facilitating for the reader, they are listed below:

3GPP3rd Generation Partnership Project

ABS Almost Blank Subframe

BS Base Station

CRS Cell-specific Reference Signal

eICIC enhanced ICIC

eNodeB evolved Node B

ICIC Inter-Cell Interference Coordination

LTE Long-Term Evolution

PCI Physical Cell Identity

RAT Radio Access Technology

RRC Radio Resource Control

SFN System Frame Number

SINR Signal-to-Interference Ratio

SRS Sounding Reference Signal

UE User Equipment

UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of handover, fora UE, to a first cell, wherein the first cell operates on a firstfrequency, from a second cell, wherein the second cell operates on asecond frequency different form the first frequency. The methodcomprises performing cell detection on the first frequency while the UEis associated with the second cell on the second frequency; detecting atleast one cell identification, ID, candidate on the first frequency;determining whether verification of cell ID is to be done prior or aftera predetermined event has occurred; and if it is determined thatverification is to be done after the predetermined event, postponing theverification and performing the verification after the predeterminedevent has occurred.

The predetermined event may be any of handover, carrier change, primarycarrier change, and reception of a measurement pattern.

The method may further comprise reporting an event comprising sending alist of cells, wherein the list comprises the at least one cell IDcandidate.

The UE may be in a cell expansion zone of the second cell.

The performing of the verification may include an intra-frequencymeasurement.

The measurements may be on the first frequency and may be performed inselected subframes arranged for low interference conditions.

The first cell may be a first pico cell associated with a first macrocell, wherein the first pico cell and the first macro cell operate onthe first frequency.

The second cell may be a second pico cell associated with a second macrocell, wherein the second pico cell and the second macro cell operate onthe second frequency.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of cellidentification, by a user equipment, UE, wherein the method comprises

performing a first cell identification step consisting of celldetection;

performing at least one action associated with network interaction; and

if the first cell detection step and the at least one action associatedwith network interaction allows or requires, performing a second cellidentification step including verification of a cell detected by thefirst cell identification step.

The method of may further comprise performing the second cellidentification step after the at least one action.

The action may be reporting a result obtained in the first cellidentification step or an event associated with the result of the firstcell identification step.

The network interaction may be any of: handover, cell change, carrierchange or component carrier reconfiguration.

The method may further comprise performing a step of deciding whether toproceed to the second cell identification step, wherein the step ofdeciding preceding the network interaction step.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a communication apparatussuitable for operating in a cellular communication network, wherein theapparatus is arranged to perform the methods.

According to a one embodiment, there is provided a computer programcomprising instructions which, when executed on a processor of acommunication apparatus, causes the communication apparatus to performthe methods.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a User Equipment (UE)configured for operation in a cellular communication network, the methodcomprising: initiating a cell search that comprises a first step ofdetecting a cell identity (ID) and a second step of verifying thedetected cell ID by performing signal verification measurements for thedetected cell ID; and responsive to detecting the cell ID in the firststep, determining whether to proceed immediately with the second step orto postpone the second step; responsive to determining to proceedimmediately with the second step, performing the signal verificationmeasurements for the detected cell ID and reporting the signalverification measurements for the detected cell ID; and responsive todeciding to postpone the second step: storing the detected cell ID as astored cell ID; deciding at a later time to perform the signalverification measurements for the stored cell ID and correspondinglyperforming the signal verification measurements for the stored cell ID;and reporting the signal verification measurements for the stored cellID.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, further in response to decidingto postpone the second step, the method includes the UE immediatelyreporting the detected cell ID without the signal verificationmeasurements and then later reporting the signal verificationmeasurements after performing them for the stored cell ID at said latertime.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating the cell searchcomprises initiating an inter-frequency or inter-Radio Access Technology(RAT) cell search.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whetherto proceed immediately with the second step or to postpone the secondstep comprises determining whether or not the UE has assistance dataneeded to perform the signal verification measurements, and, if so,determining to proceed immediately with the signal verificationmeasurements according to the assistance data, and otherwise postponingthe signaling verification measurements.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the assistance data comprises interference coordinationinformation enabling the UE to identify times during which the signalverification measurements should be performed, and wherein performingthe signal verification measurements for the detected or stored cell IDcomprises performing signal measurements in accordance with theinterference coordination information.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereindeciding at the later time to perform the signal verificationmeasurements for the stored cell ID comprises deciding to perform thesignal verification measurements for the stored cell ID in response toreceiving the assistance data.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining whether to proceed immediately with the second step or topostpone the second step comprises deciding to proceed immediately withthe second step responsive to determining that an interference level isbelow a defined threshold, and otherwise deciding to postpone the secondstep, said interference level being determined by the UE with respect toa physical signal received from a cell corresponding to the detectedcell ID.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether toproceed immediately with the second step or to postpone the second stepcomprises deciding to postpone the second step until after completing acell change.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein deciding at said latertime to perform the signal verification measurements for the stored cellID comprises performing the signal verification measurements for thestored cell ID upon completing a cell change and further upon receivinginterference coordination information applicable to performing thesignal verification measurements for a cell corresponding to the storedcell ID.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the detected cell IDcomprises a second detected cell ID, wherein initiating the cell searchcomprises initiating a mobility-related cell search, includingidentifying a first cell that is a handover target for the UE and has afirst detected cell ID and further including identifying a second cellthat is associated with the first cell, said second cell having saidsecond detected cell ID, and wherein the method includes performing thesignal verification measurements for the first detected cell IDimmediately and postponing the signal verification measurements for thesecond detected cell ID at least until after completing a handover tothe first cell.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein postponing thesignal verification measurements for the second detected cell ID atleast until after completing a handover to the first cell comprisescompleting the handover to the first cell, obtaining assistance datafrom a base station serving the first cell, and performing the signalverification measurements for the second cell according to theassistance data, said assistance data comprising interferencecoordination information indicating times at which the signalverification measurements should be performed with respect to the secondcell.
 12. A User Equipment (UE) configured for operation in a cellularcommunication network, the UE comprising: transceiver circuitryconfigured for communicating with base stations operating in thecellular communication network; and processing circuitry operativelyassociated with the transceiver circuitry and configured to: initiatinga cell search that comprises a first step of detecting a cell identity(ID) and a second step of verifying the detected cell ID by performingsignal verification measurements for the detected cell ID; andresponsive to detecting the cell ID in the first step, determiningwhether to proceed immediately with the second step or to postpone thesecond step; responsive to determining to proceed immediately with thesecond step, performing the signal verification measurements for thedetected cell ID and reporting the signal verification measurements forthe detected cell ID; and responsive to deciding to postpone the secondstep: storing the detected cell ID as a stored cell ID; deciding at alater time to perform the signal verification measurements for thestored cell ID and correspondingly performing the signal verificationmeasurements for the stored cell ID; and reporting the signalverification measurements for the stored cell ID.
 13. The UE of claim12, wherein, further in response to deciding to postpone the secondstep, the processing circuitry is configured to immediately report thedetected cell ID without the signal verification measurements and thenlater report the signal verification measurements after performing themat said later time for the stored cell ID.
 14. The UE of claim 12,wherein the processing circuitry is configured to initiate the cellsearch by initiating an inter-frequency or inter-Radio Access Technology(RAT) cell search.
 15. The UE of claim 12, wherein the processingcircuitry is configured to determine whether to proceed immediately withthe second step or to postpone the second step by determining whether ornot the UE has assistance data needed to perform the signal verificationmeasurements, and, if so, proceeding immediately with the signalverification measurements according to the assistance data, andotherwise postponing the signaling verification measurements.
 16. The UEof claim 15, wherein the assistance data comprises interferencecoordination information enabling the UE to identify times during whichthe signal verification measurements should be performed, and whereinthe processing circuitry is configured to perform the signalverification measurements for the detected or stored cell ID inaccordance with the interference coordination information.
 17. The UE ofclaim 15, wherein, the processing circuitry is configured to perform thesignal verification measurements for the stored cell ID in response toreceiving the assistance data.
 18. The UE of claim 12, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to proceed immediately with thesecond step responsive to determining that an interference level isbelow a defined threshold, and otherwise to postpone the second step,said interference level being determined by the UE with respect to aphysical signal received from a cell corresponding to the detected cellID.
 19. The UE of claim 12, wherein, with respect to postponing thesecond step, the processing circuitry is configured to postpone thesecond step until after completing a cell change.
 20. The UE of claim12, wherein, if the processing circuitry postponed performing the signalverification measurements, the processing circuitry is configured toperform the signal verification measurements for the stored cell ID uponcompleting a cell change and further upon receiving interferencecoordination information applicable to performing the signalverification measurements for a cell corresponding to the stored cellID.
 21. The UE of claim 12, wherein the detected cell ID comprises asecond detected cell ID, wherein the cell search comprises amobility-related cell search that includes identifying a first cell thatis a handover target for the UE and has a first detected cell ID andfurther includes identifying a second cell that is associated with thefirst cell, said second cell having said second detected cell ID, andwherein the processing circuitry is configured to perform the signalverification measurements for the first detected cell ID immediately andto postpone the signal verification measurements for the second detectedcell ID at least until after completing a handover to the first cell.22. The UE of claim 21, wherein the processing circuitry is configuredto obtain assistance data from a base station serving the first cell,upon completing the handover to the first cell, and to perform thesignal verification measurements for the second cell according to theassistance data, said assistance data comprising interferencecoordination information indicating times at which the signalverification measurements should be performed with respect to the secondcell.